Boys Tying Tzitzis

Question: A local organisation is asking for volunteers to tie tzitzis for Israeli soldiers. Are boys under bar-mitzva allowed to tie them?

Answer: The Gemara (Gittin 45b) teaches that sefer torah, tefillin and mezuzos must only be written by an adult male. Thus, the Shulchan Aruch (OC 39:1) writes that tefillin written by a woman or child are not kosher. The Mishna Berura (39:8) writes that this applies even if an adult was supervising the child and ensuring that he wrote it leshem mitzva.

Tosafos (Gittin 45b) quotes Rabbeinu Tam who extends this to binding a lulav and tying tzitzis, too. Nonetheless, Tosafos disagrees, writing that women may tie tzitzis. Therefore, the Shulchan Aruch (OC 14:1) writes that women may tie tzitzis. Nonetheless, the Rema writes that ideally, tzitzis should be tied by men. The Magen Avraham (14:3) writes that this restriction applies equally to boys under the age of bar-mitzva (see Ksav Sofer OC 1).

Following this, the Mishna Berura (14:4; Biur Halacha 14:1) writes that ideally, tzitzis should only be made by adults. However, he quotes the Malbim (Artzos Hachaim 14:1) who allows boys to tie tzitzis so long as an adult is supervising him and ensuring that he tied them leshem mitzva.

Likewise, the Aruch Hashulchan (OC 14:7), Ben Ish Chai (Lech Lecha 1:2) and Kaf Hachaim (OC 14:4) write that lechatchila only men over the age of bar-mitzva should tie tzitzis (see Shulchan Aruch Harav OC 14:2).

However, the Elya Rabba (OC 14:1) writes that while a kuti cannot tie tzitzis, that only applies to the first knot and chulyos - set of windings. Accordingly, there would be no issue for a child to complete the rest of the wrapping and tying.

In conclusion, an adult should insert the strings and tie the first knot and chulyos, whereupon a child may take over.

Tying Tzitzis at Night

Question: Can one tie tzitzis at nighttime?

Answer: The Gemara (Menachos 40b) teaches that if one tied the tzitzis onto a garment before it was completed with four corners, it is not kosher following the rule of ta'aseh velo min ha'asui - it needs to be made, and not just appear. The Pri Megadim (Mishbetzos Zahav OC 18:1) writes that if one tied tzitzis onto a garment at nighttime when one is not obligated to wear tzitzis, the tzitzis are kosher and we are not concerned for ta'aseh velo min ha'asui. R’ Yitzchak Yaakov Weiss (Minchas Yitzchak 9:8) writes that this implies that it is not ideal to do so.

Nonetheless, R’ Weiss concludes that one may tie tzitzis at night. R’ Shlomo Kluger (Chochmas Shlomo OC 18:1) explains that one does not perform the mitzva of tzitzis by tying them. Rather, doing so is a necessary step in preparing for the mitzva. R’ Moshe Stern (Baer Moshe 8:47) compares tying tzitzis to closing a sukka roof, preparing the lulav and esrog, fashioning a shofar, and adjusting tefillin straps, all of which may be performed at night. Likewise, the Ben Ish Chai (Lech Lecha 1:18) explains that ta'aseh velo min ha'asui does not apply to actions performed at a different time. R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yabia Omer OC 8:3) notes that while women are not obligated to wear tzitzis, they are able to tie them (according to the Shulchan Aruch OC 14:1). Clearly, tzitzis do not need to be tied under the same conditions as wearing them.

Likewise, the Aruch Hashulchan (OC 14:7), Kaf Hachaim (OC 18:2) and R’ Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Halichos Shlomo, Tefilla 3:23) write that one may tie tzitzis at nighttime.

In conclusion, one may tie tzitzis onto a begged at nighttime.

Havdala on Yom Tov

Question: When Yom Tov falls on Motzaei Shabbos, can one use the Yom Tov candles for havdala?

Answer: The Gemara (Pesachim 103b) teaches that one should ideally use an avuka for havdala. The Maggid Mishne (Shabbos 29:26) translates this as a multi-wicked candle. The Ran (Pesachim 21a) explains that the beracha of borei meorei haeish is written in the plural form as Hashem created multiple luminaries. Thus, the Shulchan Aruch (OC 298:2) writes that it is ideal to use an avuka, though one may use a single candle if necessary.

The Mishna Berura (Biur Halacha 514:5) writes that one should ideally light a yahrzeit candle before Yom Tov, rather than on Yom Tov itself. Thus, R’ Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (quoted in Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchasa 62:n31) questioned whether one may light a havdala candle on Yom Tov just for havdala.

The Shulchan Aruch (OC 514:2) writes that one must not tip a candle in order to drip the wax, nor remove a lit wick from a flame, as doing so is considered kibui, extinguishing. The Rema adds that one may, however, add a wick to an existing flame, even though it will burn quicker. Nonetheless, R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe OC 5:20:30) writes that one may hold two candles together for havdala as one has no intention of making the candles burn quicker.

The Rema (OC 502:2) writes that one may move a burning wood from a fire and place it elsewhere as one is not intending on extinguishing the flame. Nonetheless, the Shulchan Aruch Harav (OC 502:7) and Mishna Berura (502:20) write that one should ideally not separate two wicks from the same flame. Accordingly, one could not place two candles together to make one flame and then separate them. Nonetheless, R’ Moshe Stern (Baer Moshe 8:184) and R’ Menashe Klein (Mishne Halachos 8:217) write that we follow the Rema in allowing us to separate the candles.

R’ Benzion Abba Shaul (Ohr Letzion 3:18:6) writes that one can use one’s regular Yom Tov candles for havdala. One does not need to move or hold them. Likewise, R’ Yaakov Kamenetsky (Emes L’yaakov OC 514:n476) maintained that one must not allow the candles to touch (see Dirshu Mishna Berura 3:18:n6).

In conclusion, there are different practices as to how to make havdala on Yom Tov. One without a specific minhag should ideally not place the candles together.